Seminar to focus on charitable giving

Redlands attorney Kathleen Albrektson and retired University of Redlands vice president Ron Stephany will speak at the Family Service Association of Redlands' Income for Life seminar, offered at 3 and 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Family Service, 612 Lawton St., Redlands.

Albrektson and Stephany are members of Family Service's board of directors.

Albrektson, owner of Albrektson Law Office, will speak on establishing a charitable gift annuity. Charitable gift annuities provide lifelong monthly income to the donor while benefiting the charity.

"A gift annuity is such a smart way to give to a nonprofit organization," Albrektson said. "The donor has the security of receiving lifetime income, and the satisfaction of knowing their gift will help those in need. Family Service is a well-run, effective organization with a great history. It's a wonderful charity to support."

Stephany, who has spoken nationally on charitable giving, will talk about bequests.

"Bequests are still the most popular way to provide a lasting legacy," Stephany said.

"Yet studies show that up to 55 percent of Americans have no will or other estate planning document in place. Many others don't realize that you can leave a legacy to a favorite nonprofit and still take care of family members in your will or trust. We'll answer questions about that in the seminar," Stephany said.

"Many people would like to leave a legacy benefiting a worthy charity," said Julie Nichols, director of fund development for Family Service.

"One reason we're holding this seminar is that few are aware of the tax-smart ways of doing so. We're excited about offering the opportunity to `do well by doing good' to the community," Nichols said.

Those who want to attend are asked to make reservations with Donna at 909-793-2673.

Family Service Association of Redlands has been helping homeless and hungry children and their families since 1898. Serving low-income families from the communities of Redlands, Yucaipa, Mentone, Highland, Loma Linda, Bryn Mawr and Grand Terrace, Family Service's case management and educational programs return hundreds of local families to self-sufficiency each year.

Family Service is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that depends on income from donations and grants to provide food, shelter, clothing and "a hand up, not a hand out" to nearly 6,000 people each year.